■ BOXING
Holyfield mulls Tyson fight
US boxer Evander Holyfield said in an interview published on Thursday that he was in talks with Mike Tyson for a rematch of their infamous 1997 fight. Speaking to the Guardian, Holyfield, who failed in his quest to regain a version of the world heavyweight title in October, said: "Mike had Jeff Fenech, who's been training him, call me a few months ago. Jeff says Mike wants to fight me again -- but he needs to know if I would agree to it. I said, `It all depends on what they gonna give us -- because I'm gonna catch a lot of flak if I say I'm fighting Mike Tyson again. I've already said I don't want to fight Mike no more.' Jeff says, `What if Mike gets in proper shape?' I told him that's okay, but I can't be part of it if Mike's going to pull out. Jeff said, `The main thing Mike wants to know is if you would be willing to fight him again?' I said, `Yeah, if the price is right, I probably would.'" In their 1997 fight, the second between the two boxers, Tyson, now 41, bit Holyfield, now 45, twice and ripped off a chunk of his ear, which he spat onto the canvas.
■ TENNIS
Clijsters has daughter
Former US Open champion Kim Clijsters gave birth to a daughter on Wednesday, nine months after retiring from tennis. Clijsters and her husband, US basketball player Brian Lynch, named the baby Jada. The 24-year-old Clijsters retired in May, saying a string of injuries had led to fatigue, a lack of motivation and a decline in play. She said she wanted to focus a new life with Lynch, who plays in the Belgian league. Clijsters' Web site said the baby, born at a hospital in Tongeren, Belgium, weighed 3.035kg and measured 51cm. Clijsters was Belgium's first tennis player to reach the No. 1 ranking, holding it for 19 weeks in 2003.
■ ATHLETICS
Jones' agent sentenced
Marion Jones' longtime agent has been sentenced to six months of home detention for a minor role in a bank fraud that resulted in a six-month prison sentence for the former track star. Charles Wells was also fined US$7,500 on Wednesday by US District Judge Kenneth Karas in Manhattan, after pleading guilty last March. Karas said the charge was related to a scheme designed to cash up to US$8 million worth of stolen or forged checks through a network of track figures and New York counterfeiters. Wells told the court: "I have suffered every day. I have humiliated my family. I just apologize."
■ FORMULA ONE
Investigators visit McLaren
Italian investigators visited the offices of Formula One team McLaren and the homes of several of its executives in England on Wednesday as part of a criminal probe into the sport's spy scandal. McLaren said Italian investigators, led by the Modena magistrate, were accompanied by local Surrey Police as they went to the McLaren Technology Center and the homes of "a number" of team executives. "The police are completely satisfied with the cooperation they have received," McLaren said in a statement. "These actions are part of a normal judicial process in connection with the ongoing investigation, and are supported by McLaren Racing." The names of the investigators or the executives were not disclosed, but reports in Italy last week said McLaren chief Ron Dennis, CEO Martin Whitmarsh, chief designer Mike Coughlan and engineering director Paddy Lowe would be expected to be called in for questioning.
■ SOCCER
Barcelona, Valencia draw
A goal well into injury time by Xavi gave Barcelona a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia in their Spanish Cup semi-final first leg clash on Wednesday. Valencia -- whose season rests solely on winning the Cup after a disastrous Champions League and championship campaign -- had taken the lead through Spanish international striker David Villa 20 minutes from time. Barcelona too be fair had the majority of the chances -- their opponents underfire coach Ronald Koeman electing to play only Villa up front -- but found Valencia's German goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand in commanding form. He was forced into his first save in the sixth minute from Xavi in the same move that had seen efforts by Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi blocked by Valencia defenders. Barca's French duo of Thierry Henry and Eric Abidal also failed to break the deadlock with their long-range efforts in the first half.
■ SOCCER
Lens to face PSG in final
Lens will face fellow relegation candidates Paris Saint Germain in the French League Cup final after they won an astonishing semi-final 5-4 over Le Mans on Wednesday. It will be a rematch of the 1998 final which PSG won. Lens, coached by former French striking great Jean-Pierre Papin, had to come from behind twice to take what looked like an unassailable 4-2 lead in the second half only for Le Mans to strike twice in a minute to level it. However, Lens, who like PSG are former French champions but in distinct danger of being relegated, grabbed the winner a minute from the end of extra-time through Malien midfielder Sidi Keita -- a remarkable return after he had been taken ill during a match and sent to hospital only 10 days ago.
■ SOCCER
Inter Milan scrape draw
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini couldn't contain his joy after his side scraped a 1-1 home draw against AS Roma to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of Serie A. Francesco Totti gave Roma a deserved first-half lead with a near post flick from a sumptuous left-wing cross from Max Tonetto. Inter were reduced to 10 men just past the hour mark after Brazilian left-back Maxwell was stretchered off just moments after Mancini made his third substitution. But following the late and harsh dismisal of Roma's French centerback Philippe Mexes, Inter captain Javier Zanetti rifled home a right-foot volley two minutes from time to earn a share of the spoils the league leaders didn't deserve. It means they still lead Roma by nine points at the top with Juventus, who drew 0-0 at home to Torino in the Turin derby on Tuesday, third a further four points back.
■ OLYMPIC GAMES
London to Beijing by bus
London bus drivers are being asked to go the extra mile for the Olympics by signing up for a three-month journey from Trafalgar Square to Beijing. In a scheme to celebrate cultural links between this year's Olympic Games host city and London, hosts in 2012, an iconic red double-decker bus will set off on a three-month journey. Leaving in June, the bus is expected to arrive in Beijing before the Olympic flag is handed over to London Mayor Ken Livingstone at the closing ceremony. Livingstone, whose office is helping to organize the trip with the London 2012 committee and Transport for London, said it offered a few London bus drivers the chance of a lifetime.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely